Mine or submarine-boat destroyer.



No. 743,081. PATENTED Nov. s, 1903. A. P. HUMPHREY. MINE 0R SUBMARINE'BOAT D'ESTROYER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2, 1903.

, NO MODEL.

MM rlllllflM L: g Q s I UNITED STATES .Patentecl November 3, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER F. HUMPHREY, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES R. BUOHl-IEIT, OE PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

MINE OR SUBMARlNE-B OAT DESTROYER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,081, dated November 3, 1903.

Application filed February 2, 1903. Serial No. 141,473. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER F. HUM- PHREY,a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mine or Submarine-l3oat Destroyers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accom pan ying drawings.

This invention relates'to certain new and useful improvements in mine and submarineboat destroyers; and the object of the invention is to provide novel and effective means for so suspending and operatinga torpedo or other'explosive device from the deck of a vessel as to explode the same against a submarine mine, submarine boat, torpedo-boat, or the like.

Briefly described, the invention comprises means for suspending a torpedo from the deck of a vessel, manipulating the same, and guiding it through the waterinto engagement with a desired object. V

The invention will be more fully explained hereinafter in giving a detail description, and in giving such description reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and wherein like numerals of reference will be employed for designating like parts throughout the different views of the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a detail perspective View showing the suspending device supported from a vessel and illustrating how the torpedo is engaged with a submarine mine or vessel. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a preferred form of supporting and manipulating device for the torpedo-suspending boom-arm, showing a part of said arm. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a part of the suspending boom-arm and cable. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the boom-arm.

My invention contemplates the supporting of the torpedo at a distance away from the vessel, manipulating the same readily, so as to vary the height at'which it is supported, and exploding the torpedo, whereby to obtain the greatest results from the force of the explosion.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, 1 indicates the supporting-capstan of a form generally employed on the base of the capstan and the provision of adog or latch 3 to engage with said rack. On this rotatable capstan I mount a supporting-frame 4, in which are journaledshafts 5 hereinafter more specifically described. The

boom-arm 12 is preferably made in sections adapted to be suitably joined together, such construction enabling me to readily store the boom-arm on the vessel when not in use. I

preferably employ means for operating the reel or spool 7 to wind or unwind the cable 8 independently of means provided for operating the shaft 5 to elevate or lower the outer end of the boom-arm 12. The means shown by me in this illustration is the employment of a motor for each. To this end I provide supporting-brackets 9 and 10, attached to the supporting-frame 4. On the bracket 9 is mounted a motor 14, and on'the bracket. 10 is mounted a motor 15. The armature-shaft of the motor 14 carries a pinion 16, which meshes with an idler-gear 17, mounted in the frame 4 and bracket 9, the shaft on which said gear is mounted also carrying a pinion 18, which meshes with a gear 19, carried by the shaft 5. My purpose in employing the idler 17 is to reduce the speed, whereby to give better control of the movement of the boom-arm 12. This motor is connected to any suitable source of electrical energy. The armature-shaft of the motor 15 carries a pinion 20, which meshes with a gear 21, mounted on the shaft 6, which carries the spool or reel 7. Thismotor is also connected to any suitable source of electrical energy. In order to control and lock the boom-arm at any desired position, I preferably employ levers 22 and 23, respectively, so pivoted to the frame 4. as to be engaged with the gears 19 and 21, if desired.

The torpedo is adapted to be supported from the cable 8 in such a manner as to permit its being maintained substantially in a horizontal position, whereby to bring the exploder in the forward end thereof in contact with the object to be destroyed.

By the manner of supporting the torpedo whereby to maintain the same in a substantially horizontal plane while drawing the same through the water the same may be brought head on into engagement with the object to be destroyed, as will be apparent, and the controlling means enables me to vary the height of suspension as may be required by the circumstances existing.

It will be apparent that I may employ the ordinary manual means, such as a crank, for Winding up the spool or operating the boom. It will further be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what ing a rotatable capstan, a supporting-frame carried thereby, rotatable shafts journaled therein, a reel carried by one of said shafts, a boom-arm mounted on the other of said shafts and adapted to swing in a vertical are, means for actuating said arm in said vertical arc, means connected with said reel passing over said arm for supporting a torpedo, and means for rotating the reel, substantially as described.

3. A device of the character described comprising a capstan, a supporting-frame thereon, a reel mounted in said frame, a supporting-arm adapted for movement in a vertical are mounted in said frame, supporting means for a torpedo connected with said reel and passing over the arm, and actuating means for said arm and said reel, substantially as described. a

4. A mine and submarine-boat destroyer comprising in combination with the boat, a rotatable means mounted thereon, a supporting-frame carried thereby, rotatable shafts mounted in the frame, a boom-arm carried by one of said shafts and adapted to swing in a vertical are upon rotation of the said shaft, means for rotating said arm supporting said arm-supporting shaft, a reel secured to the other of said shafts, means for actuating the same, and means connected with said reel and passing over said arm for supporting a torpedo, whereby the same may be raised or lowered, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER F. HUMPHREY.

Witnesses:

A. M. WILsoN, E. E. POTTER. 

